MAORI FARMERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 10

MAORI FARMERS.

PROGRESS NEAR WAIUKU. IDLE LAND MADE PRODUCTIVE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT. The possibilities of dairy development iu the South Auckland district have been strikingly demonstrated at Waipijii, where 10 dairy farms have been created from land which three years ago was lying idle. A visit was paid to liie farms yesterday by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon.G. W. Forbes, the Minister of Native Affaire, Sir Apirana Ngata, the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. Masters, and Mr. J. N. Massey, M.P. for Franklin. They were accompanied by Princess Te Puea, who li keenly interested in the cau«e of native land development. The land is in five separate blocks, the first being about two miles from Waiuku and the fifth about seven miles distant. The furthest block is the largest, comprising 254 acres. It was set aside for landless natives and was covered with light scrub. In 1929 Mr. Forbes viewed the block, and, in responee to representations by settlers and county representatives, promised that something Ehould be done to develop the area. Yesterday the Prime Minister saw the land all in excellent pasture, subdivided into five dairy farms, and carrying five herds of good dairy cattle. Comfortable dwelling houses have been built, and the milking sheds are thoroughly up to date. Another block is of 224 acres, about two miles from Waiuku. This was once in paeture, but gorse and blackberry had got a strong hold, and rates were unpaid. To force the issue the Franklin County Council obtained a charging order against the land which, subject to the signature of the Minister of Native Affairs, would have entitled the council to sell it to recover the amount due. Rather than see the owners lose it, or prevent the council from recovering the rates. Sir Apirana Ngata had it developed on the same lines as the Kohekohe block. It ie now in splendid pasture and carries a herd of 50 co'.vs. The cost of developing and stocking the various farms has been estimated at £17 an acre.